North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
4th of July Weekend 2011 Things to Do with NYC Kids: Macy's Fireworks, Summer Stage Bronx Family Day July 2 - 4
Happy Fourth of July! Regardless of where you're spending the holiday, fireworks are the main event this weekend. In NYC, Macy's is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its annual spectacular on the Hudson River. We've got details on the best spots to watch the display both in NYC or across the river in New Jersey.
If you're spending the entire three-day weekend in the city, there are plenty of other exciting things to do. Head to Coney Island for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, catch an alfresco screening of Grease, groove to cool kiddie bands at SummerStage's Bronx Family Day or indulge your sweet tooth at a candy carnival. Plus the city's free outdoor pools are open for the season, as are local beaches and awesome water playgrounds. Since it's also the first weekend of the month, many museums, including the Children's Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Museum, are offering free hours and special programming.
You can find more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide and additional weekend options in our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar. Happy birthday to the U.S.A!
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All Weekend
Eagle as Icon – Prospect Park
Families can visit the Audubon Center to learn all about our country's official bird, the Bald Eagle, through crafts and an interactive presentation. FREE
Candy Carnival – Upper East Side
Dylan's Candy Bar hosts carnival-style games in honor of the holiday. Play licorice limbo and marshmallow shooting, pose with Vanilla the Bunny and enjoy more sweet festivities. Saturday and Sunday only. FREE
The Ohmies: Morning Wish Garden – Midtown West
This interactive musical set in a magical land will delight preschoolers with its colorful costumes, yoga-inspired dance moves and simple storyline. Read our review, and then enter to win four tickets. Saturday and Sunday only. $35
Staten Island OutLOUD: Declaration of Independence – Staten Island
In honor of the holiday, kids can join in an annual recitation of the Declaration of Independence. FREE
Pixar Revisited – Midtown West
We highlighted this film fest in last week's events post, but it's so cool we wanted to remind you. This weekend the Museum of Modern Art screens Toy Story 1 and 2, and a bug's life on the big screen. $10 for adults, free for kids.
Saturday, July 2
Macy’s Fishing Clinic – Prospect Park
Due to budget cuts, Macy’s has replaced its annual kids' fishing contest with clinics. Children under 16 can learn the basics of catch-and-release fishing and cast their lines in Prospect Park. FREE
Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays – Brooklyn
In honor of the institution's brand-new exhibition Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior, visitors can enjoy Hindu music, dance, storytelling and hands-on art workshops. FREE
Saturday Sculpture Workshops – Long Island City
At the Socrates Sculpture Park, kids can create necklaces, pins and bracelets from objects found in the park and recycled items brought from home. FREE
See all Saturday events.
Sunday, July 3
SummerStage's Bronx Family Day – the Bronx
What a lineup: Storytellers Bill Harley and David Gonzalez appear along with bouncy bilingual band Moona Luna, multicultural dance company Illstyle & Peace Productions and kid-hoppers Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. FREE
Freedom Strut – Prospect Park
In addition to being Independence Day, July 4 also marks the 184th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in New York State. Mark this milestone at Lefferts Historic House by making crafts, hearing stories of slavery and survival, and joining a "freedom strut:" a loud and proud march celebrating emancipation. FREE
Clearing in the Forest: Wildlife – Upper West Side
This biweekly family performance series celebrates July 4 a little early with a live show featuring America’s favorite bird of prey, the Bald Eagle. FREE
Grease – Fort Greene
Summer lovin', had me a blast...and you can too at this outdoor screening of Grease in Habana Outpost's garden. FREE
Monday, July 4
Macy’s Firework Spectacular – Hudson River
The big to-do today is Macy’s dazzling display. It's taking place on the West Side again this year, with amazing pyrotechnics shot from barges on the Hudson River. We've got the scoop on the best places to watch. FREE
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest – Coney Island
Always a hot dog of a time, come on down and see if legendary competitive eater Joey Chestnut can hold onto his title as he scarfs down an insane number of Nathan’s famous franks. Plus new this year: the Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship. Predicted to win: 105-pound Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, the current female record holder with 41 hot dogs and buns. FREE
Declare Independence – Prospect Park
The Lefferts Historic House invites visitors get into the spirit of the holiday by making old-fashioned feathered hats and signing a replica of the Declaration of Independence. FREE
Met Holiday Monday – Upper East Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open and offering special family sketching programs throughout the day. FREE with museum admission.
See all Monday events.
Outside NYC
New Jersey's Hudson River towns are prime viewing spots for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. Plus, seaside towns like Cape May and Atlantic City are hosting their own spectaculars.
Long Island offers ample opportunities to boat ride. My family's partial to the Discovery Wetlands Cruise that sails around the serene Stony Brook Harbor with a naturalist on board.
If seeing Macy's bombs bursting in air sounds too chaotic for your family, head to Connecticut where you'll find a ton of low-key pyrotechnic displays throughout the weekend.
Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar.
Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar here.
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